Tuesday 28-03-2023 - 16:00

UWTSD Karting: Dancing in the Rain at Glan Y Gors (GYG) BUKC Round 3 

Qualifying 

On the 16th of March UWTSD Karting ventured up to North Wales for Round 3 of the BUKC. 

The heavy rain concealed the circuit. On arrival, the low clouds revealed a water-soaked ribbon of tarmac draped over the hillside. 

The team's morning track work was challenged by the heavy winds and rain. 

Matt was the first to tackle the traitorous conditions. Matts first time at GYG started off poorly with his karts choke being stuck on so he had no straight-line speed or acceleration so had to pit during practice to get the issue fixed. With a fixed kart he ventured out for qualifying managing P3 whilst encountering multiple yellows on his fastest lap.

It was Stanley’s first time Karting in full wet conditions and time at the GYG. Practice and qualifying was all about learning the circuit and conditions. Stanley improved throughout the session consistently putting in improving times lap after lap. Unfortunately, his fastest time was deleted but he still managed to qualify P28 after penalties. 

GYG is Aeddan’s home circuit but he is still learning the technique behind driving in the rain. Aeddan stormed out of the pits setting the pace for the practice session. He qualified a personal best P11 but had a few penalties. So Aeddan started P17 after the penalties. 

It was also Wills first time at GYG and he had a great Qualifying session. Fighting the tricky conditions he struggled to get a good lap in but at the end of the session he put in a time good enough for P8. Thanks to keeping out of trouble Will jumped forward to starting a personal best P3 for the race after penalties. 

 

Races 

The rain continued to pour with no sign of stopping as race time approached. 

Matt didn’t have the best start due to his kart just not having the top speed of the others remaining in P3. Matt danced the kart around the track drifting the snakey circuit ensuring he avoided any penalties resulting in him getting a maiden win!

This was a huge shock to him and was celebrated by the team for our first win. This was a great result to start off the round and left the rest of the team in high spirits for their races ahead. 

Stanley was excited to venture back out and tackle the wet conditions after thoroughly enjoying his qualifying session. Stanley battled all race long forever improving his wet karting technique and finishing P23 which is a solid result. Stanley feels confident in his ability for future wet races which is great to hear for the team's future. 

Aeddan has always been good at making up positions in the race and now with a better starting position, his chances for top 10 finish were much greater. Aeddan has improved in the wet conditions learning and taking advice from Matt and the team. Applying it to a circuit he knows worked wonders making up positions one by one and securing a fantastic P7 finish after penalties were applied. Aeddan was really happy with this result as he is not a fan of the wet conditions. 

Will was in the final race of the day and the rain still had not stopped. It was hard for Will not to feel the pressure with the great results from the team so far. Will had a fantastic getaway which was short lived after getting cut off by the leader into turn 1 slowing him up the straight, dropping a few positions. With the temperature dropping and the rain continuing to fall Will struggled in the tricky conditions, battling hard all race after he dropped back from running wide in the opening laps. Will finished P18 after penalties bringing in a solid haul of points for the team finishing the round. 

The team thoroughly enjoyed their time at GYG, dancing the karts in the rain was great fun! This was an amazing result from the team with a best-ever finish of P7 for the round moving us into P15 in the championship going into the final round at Clay Pigeon Raceway.